Malawi Targets December End to Blackouts as Power Crisis Deepens

Malawi's electricity shortage is heading into another critical stage, with the government saying repairs and imported power could ease blackouts by December, even as the main generator supplies far less electricity than the country needs.

Energy Minister Jean Mathanga gave the assurance, citing new machine spares due this month and the planned flow of electricity from Mozambique.

Mathanga said Malawi had lacked enough spare parts to repair damaged generating equipment, leaving some power stations unable to produce at full capacity. She said the government was now stocking the needed parts.

"Let me assure Malawians that we are working round the clock so that issues of blackouts should end," Mathanga said.

The assurance has not convinced the Consumers Association of Malawi. Its executive director, John Kapito, told consumers to prepare for a prolonged energy crisis, questioning whether the government's timetable can be achieved.

Power stations still below capacity

The scale of the shortage is clear from figures released by Egenco, Malawi's main electricity producer. The company said on 21 August 2026 that it was generating 370MW, against national demand of more than 450MW.

More than 80 per cent of Malawi's electricity comes from hydropower along the Shire River. The main stations include Nkula, Tedzani and Kapichira.

That heavy dependence on water power has left the electricity system exposed to climate problems and equipment failures. Solar power and battery storage have been introduced on the grid, but their contribution is still limited.

Mathanga acknowledged the problem, saying Malawi needs a more varied electricity supply.

"We recognise that climate change means Malawi cannot continue relying overwhelmingly on hydropower without adequate diversification," she said.

The current crisis became more serious on 7 August when a 20MW unit at Nkula B stopped working after developing a technical fault.

Egenco said damaged generator bearing parts must be taken to the original manufacturer's workshop in South Africa for specialised repairs. The unit is expected to return to service in the first week of October.

Other equipment is also producing below its installed capacity.

Nkula A's Units 1, 2 and 3 are producing a combined 24MW, although their installed capacity is 35MW. Egenco attributed the lower output to worn turbine shaft seals.

At Tedzani, Units 5 and 6 have also operated below capacity for years. Egenco traced part of the problem to debris left by Cyclone Ana in 2022.

These equipment problems have reduced the amount of electricity available to homes and businesses in several urban areas.

The government said the shortage has affected businesses ranging from small refrigeration outlets to large manufacturers in Lilongwe, Blantyre, Zomba and Mzuzu.

Mozambique supply offers another source

The government is also counting on imported electricity to help reduce the shortage.

Mathanga said the Mozambique-Malawi power interconnection project reached an important stage after successful hot-commissioning on 8 August. The project is expected to supply 50MW at first, with room for more power later.

She said construction on the Malawian side was completed by February, but work on the other side was delayed after a fatal accident led to a suspension of works.

"On the Malawian side we finished construction by February, but our counterparts delayed following suspension of works due to a fatal accident that happened," she said. "What remains now is a high-level discussion on commercial terms."

The government is also relying on repairs to existing power stations. The Reserve Bank of Malawi provided foreign exchange in July to buy the required spare parts.

The parts are being manufactured abroad and are due to arrive in September. Egenco expects full generating capacity to return by the end of September.

That timetable comes before Mathanga's December assurance, giving the government several steps to complete before consumers can expect a sustained end to blackouts.

For consumers already dealing with unreliable electricity, the gap between current supply and demand is still substantial. Egenco's 370MW output leaves the country more than 80MW short of demand above 450MW.

Kapito's warning therefore places public pressure on the government's promise, as Malawi waits for repairs, new equipment and electricity from Mozambique to produce the relief promised by the Energy Ministry.